Fly Fishing HELP!

[troutasassin]

O.k guys bare with me here please as I am thinking of getting into this
I don't have alot of money and I am looking for an entry level setup and who better to ask for advise than you guys that have been doing it for awhile..

I went to BPS and saw this setup:

8'6 5 piece 5wt
with: line - case - reel - and basically everything u need to get started.
I compared it to higher models say a 100 dollar pole and a 60 dollar real.
Honestly I could not tell the differance.
The reel on the combo was really nice and it had a nice drag and the pole was very flexable and felt comfortable.

I have been reading posts and yes doing homework ugh!!! on this before I make a purchase. I plan on using it in lakes, creeks and streams. I am not looking for the rolls royce of rods and reels. Just like to get started in this sport without breaking the bank if possible.

I am not going to be going around saying ooh I got this n that because I can careless about how much your rod or signature series cost? Can you catch fish with it is the botton line and are you happy with it is what matters to me.

Honestly I have seen paople who have expensive set-ups and don't know how to use them.

Just hoping you guys may point me in the right direction.
I don't have 2 bills to through down on gear.
If I can get started for 100 then I would be happy
Have you guys tried the Bps brand?

Thanks
Joshua

[Beresford13861]

Josh, whats the model on that setup? im going to BPS tomorrow,ill check it out.

[troutasassin]

I think it's called clearwater?
It comes with a green case and it's in the back right corner.
If you ask them they have one put together you can check out.....

Thanks
Joshua

[Beresford13861]

Originally Posted by troutasassin

I think it's called clearwater?
It comes with a green case and it's in the back right corner.
If you ask them they have one put together you can check out.....

Thanks
Joshua

i know the manager of the fly shop there, ill give him a call.

[Portbowrules]

Any outfit will get you started, but like I'm sure you've read before, don't skimp on the line. FWIW You can learn to cast and fish with any rod, but the line is what makes or breaks the whole experience.

[dodoman]

true, still new to flyfishing myself.


one thing i did learn quick, there are floating lines and sinking lines.
















CLASS, WE HAVE A NEW STUDENT BY THE NAME OF DODOMAN.








dodoman , congradulation, you have passed the 1 st grade.lol


dodoman replies, WHAT DID I WIN, WHAT DID I WIN.

[NulodPBall]

I agree with PortBow Rules...don't skimp on the line...that said, a fully setup combo is nice...just when you get some money and feel like upgrading, upgrade the line first.

Yes, you can have alot of fun on even a $20.00 combo (yes they exist, like at Walmart) but one thing I can pretty much guarantee: You will at one point break your rod if you buy one on the very low end. The $100.00 setup is an okay price point. My first rod was an old Fenwick Eagle II if I remember correctly, bought on sale (I had to talk the manager into selling it to me at the sale price because that model wasn't actually on sale...and I finagled an aluminum rod case also).

I'm sure your setup will be fine...but you will know the difference if you try out a high-end setup so whatever you do, don't try a high-end setup.

The easiest form of fly fishing is from a float tube...that's what I do mostly. That means a lake, waders, and fins. BassPro shops is a great place to get all of the above, and a cheap float tube is just fine, just make sure it's a U-tube, and not a doughnut. I wear boots with my fins, but plenty of people don't...but to me, my waders will last longer that way when I'm walking around before and after I get in the water, or if I have to get out and walk because of high winds.

If you only plan on fishing creeks, all you need is your rod, some flies, and some insect repellant if it's in the Summer time. If you never fish in a lake, then 8 1/2 is a bit long...you can go as short as six feet, and learn to roll cast

Buy one book, but you can save money by reading as much as you can online, but nothing beats going out as often as you can, and fishing...even if the weather isn't the best, or you're tired, or you don't have any cash.

Don't start fly tying unless you have alot of free time.

Fishing on the surface is great, but most of the fish's food is underwater...you don't need a million flies, limit yourself to three examples of the major types. I limit (kinda) myself to midges/chironomids (underwater), nymphs (black and brown), Wooleybuggers (olive and black), and Royal Coachman (for the surface fly) as my general and specific categories. I can pretty much catch anything I need to with those types, but the kicker is that there is about a dozen or more variations for each type and at some point in time, you will catch a fish on each variation but the main types are what's important. You pick the types...if you like panfish, then the beaded midges, and small poppers are good choices. If you like Largmouth Bass, anything that could be a worm (like the Wooleybugger in black) or large poppers, or anything with red in it are good choices depending on your horoscope at the time you fish. If you like trout, the choices I made work well almost everywhere. If you like salmon, throw in an egg sucking leach...if you like steelhead, the smaller bugs seem to work for my friends fairly consistently.

If you're going to fish bigger streams, the longer rod and a casting basket is nice, but I don't think you will be.

Your clothing choice isn't important, as long as what you choose can dry fast, or shed water easily. You don't need a vest, a large fanny pack works just as well.

Oh, don't forget a net...you won't need it for most of the smaller fish, but I guarantee you, you'll regret it if you need one and don't have one...it's actually mostly for the fish's protection...if you don't have a net, you have to tire the fish more to land him, and if you over tire a fish, it may die.

Oh, if a fish is strong enough to pull line off your reel, let it

Have fun and fish...oh, and post pics

[troutasassin]

Originally Posted by NulodPBall

I agree with PortBow Rules...don't skimp on the line...that said, a fully setup combo is nice...just when you get some money and feel like upgrading, upgrade the line first.

Yes, you can have alot of fun on even a $20.00 combo (yes they exist, like at Walmart) but one thing I can pretty much guarantee: You will at one point break your rod if you buy one on the very low end. The $100.00 setup is an okay price point. My first rod was an old Fenwick Eagle II if I remember correctly, bought on sale (I had to talk the manager into selling it to me at the sale price because that model wasn't actually on sale...and I finagled an aluminum rod case also).

I'm sure your setup will be fine...but you will know the difference if you try out a high-end setup so whatever you do, don't try a high-end setup.

The easiest form of fly fishing is from a float tube...that's what I do mostly. That means a lake, waders, and fins. BassPro shops is a great place to get all of the above, and a cheap float tube is just fine, just make sure it's a U-tube, and not a doughnut. I wear boots with my fins, but plenty of people don't...but to me, my waders will last longer that way when I'm walking around before and after I get in the water, or if I have to get out and walk because of high winds.

If you only plan on fishing creeks, all you need is your rod, some flies, and some insect repellant if it's in the Summer time. If you never fish in a lake, then 8 1/2 is a bit long...you can go as short as six feet, and learn to roll cast

Buy one book, but you can save money by reading as much as you can online, but nothing beats going out as often as you can, and fishing...even if the weather isn't the best, or you're tired, or you don't have any cash.

Don't start fly tying unless you have alot of free time.

Fishing on the surface is great, but most of the fish's food is underwater...you don't need a million flies, limit yourself to three examples of the major types. I limit (kinda) myself to midges/chironomids (underwater), nymphs (black and brown), Wooleybuggers (olive and black), and Royal Coachman (for the surface fly) as my general and specific categories. I can pretty much catch anything I need to with those types, but the kicker is that there is about a dozen or more variations for each type and at some point in time, you will catch a fish on each variation but the main types are what's important. You pick the types...if you like panfish, then the beaded midges, and small poppers are good choices. If you like Largmouth Bass, anything that could be a worm (like the Wooleybugger in black) or large poppers, or anything with red in it are good choices depending on your horoscope at the time you fish. If you like trout, the choices I made work well almost everywhere. If you like salmon, throw in an egg sucking leach...if you like steelhead, the smaller bugs seem to work for my friends fairly consistently.

If you're going to fish bigger streams, the longer rod and a casting basket is nice, but I don't think you will be.

Your clothing choice isn't important, as long as what you choose can dry fast, or shed water easily. You don't need a vest, a large fanny pack works just as well.

Oh, don't forget a net...you won't need it for most of the smaller fish, but I guarantee you, you'll regret it if you need one and don't have one...it's actually mostly for the fish's protection...if you don't have a net, you have to tire the fish more to land him, and if you over tire a fish, it may die.

Oh, if a fish is strong enough to pull line off your rell, let it

Have fun and fish...oh, and post pics

Thank you for your vast knowledge...... Much appreciated....
I have boots with felt - orvis waders - and fins already.
Just bought a fish cat 4 but max weight says 250 im 240 am I too big?
I do plan on losing 10-15lbs.
What lakes do you mostly fish?
There needs to be a tubing club or tubing section on this form.....

JOshua

[dodoman]

[NulodPBall]

Originally Posted by troutasassin

Thank you for your vast knowledge...... Much appreciated....
I have boots with felt - orvis waders - and fins already.
Just bought a fish cat 4 but max weight says 250 im 240 am I too big?
I do plan on losing 10-15lbs.
What lakes do you mostly fish?
There needs to be a tubing club or tubing section on this form.....

JOshua

===

A couple of the other members are close to you in weight (might be heavier), and they own/use float tubes.

You should be fine in your Fishcat, but they sell a larger version (Deluxe or Max, I forget) but it's more expensive. Alot of larger people end up with a pontoon boat, but you don't have to get one.

I fish mostly Laguna Niguel (a pay lake) because what works there, also works in the eastern Sierras, which I like to fish alot. I really like fishing Crowley, but I've spent much of my years fishing the June Lake Loop. The beaded midges work in the creeks and rivers also.

If you scan the post (do a search on "tube") you'll see that quite a few of us tube. Some do it in bays (Newport Bay in particular), and some even off a regular beach, behind the breakwater. You'll probably see quite a few of us at LNL.

A friend of mine who likes to fish rivers is wanting to go hit the Owens more this Winter and I probably will go with him...he just told me that it's wider than "Wide Open" in certain sections right now so I may do a Suicide Run this Sunday and then head straight to work on my way home I don't know...

Before you go anywhere, post your plans and you might get some takers...we also post the trout planting schedules also...

[Beresford13861]

Originally Posted by NulodPBall

===

A couple of the other members are close to you in weight (might be heavier), and they own/use float tubes.

he means me

[Bubbadel2]

Originally Posted by Beresford13861

he means me

hehe... fatty